****Warning this chapter is for mature readers*****

"Cap'n?" Quinn whined trailing behind Justin. "Do I really 'ave to wear this?" he tugged at his breeches and adjusted the frustrating fabric tight on his crotch.

"Stop that and be still," Justin hissed watching his first mate dig into his white wig. The poor man was a terrible sight to watch as he unceremoniously scratched at his head then his rump.

"But. It itches," Quinn let out a breath of frustration and began pulling at the cravat and his coat only to stop short as Justin's glare turned serious.

Shaking his head, Justin was beginning to regret putting him as a footman.

"But I am the first mate, why do I have to be a footman?" he argued and quarreled with Bellamy and Justin.

"Because I would prefer not to find my ship overrun with Tavern wenches or floating on the harbor up in flames because you failed to do what you were told," Justin growled furiously.

Sadly Quinn lowered his head. Deep down it was true. Since docking at port, he has done nothing but flounder around the Taverns after every skirt possible.

Justin felt awful with his words.

"If it makes you feel any better, you will see Tempest first before the rest of the crew on the ship". His heart swelled with the thought and he smiled as he watched the sailors' frown turn into a toothy grin.

It has been moreover a month he has been in town. He had arranged to have all of the gold coins and rubies exchanged in Cuthburts chest and invested into his account. The sum was tremendously large. Although he had yet to settle his score with his father's evil widow, he was satisfied that he will do so as a very Wealthy man.

There were a plethora of reasons for him to leave.

Seek out his father's widow.

Reclaim his inheritance.

Regain his life and social standing.

But all of that had to wait because he needed to see her.

"3 months," she agreed sweetly as he lowered his lips to hers. She would wait an eternity if he asked it and that stirred something deep in him.

But he could not wait. He was on a precipice of agony without her. Just a kiss. It was all he needed to continue on. Perhaps ask for her hand before leaving. Cement some form of betrothal to secure her.

The idea in itself was not bad.

Determined, he set out in search for her with help of his solicitor that knew all the in and outs of the towns' social circles.

He soon got news of the attendants of this ball and to his delight, Tempest would be here.

They had arrived in time for the first set of Waltzes and the grand entrance of the hosts of the ball. Soon after one by one, couples began to dance. He was dead set upon seeing her tonight to just hold her and kiss her, ask for her hand formally then leave with the firm promise of his return. 2 more months it was enough time to seek that witch out. She no longer lived on his father's estate in Gower. She had left and remarried. So he was told.

He needed to return to the home that was once his hell and find answers. Although he had proof of her being Cuthburts lover, he needed more answers. But all in due time.

He turned away from Quinn and left strict orders to stay put. As he entered, the little apprehension he felt immediately melted away as guests parted the way for him. All turned with hushed whispers and observed him as he made his way to a secluded spot of the ballroom. He was aware more than anything, that once he gained his life back fully, it would be easier to leave behind the life he led at sea. No will no longer be the pirate most feared. He would be able to ease his way in circles that would, over time, advance his placement in society.

Could he do it? Moreover, could he do it for her? It has only been a month since he has not seen her yet he will never forget how at peace she was out on the water. She was free. She was...herself.

He understood why Tempest abhorred these functions. But she will not endure it for long. After some time, he was contemplating all sorts of things as he stood in the ballroom watching couples waltz.

Through the swarming crowd of London's elite, his gaze grazed slightly over everyone, Until he found her.

Where others went to the extreme to powder their faces and wear wigs, Tempest did not and he was glad. Her beauty was breathtaking. She was dressed in a pink gown that hugged every curve of her body. She had worn her hair in long curls cascading down her shoulders and midway down her back. She was a sight like no other.

A part of him would have loved the gown on anyone else, but not her. His jaw tightened slightly with the view of every man's gaze upon her.

He watched as she leaned in and whispered something to her dance partner, waited for him to leave then immediately she turned to slip out some side doors.

It was then that Justin instinctively headed in that direction making sure no one saw him.

He stood in the dark waiting for his vision to adjust then slowly made his way towards her. Now hidden partially in the shadows, the faint light of the ballroom behind him revealed very little.

When he finally wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, suddenly his world felt right again. His lips gently pressed into her ear and he whispered to her.

She finally turned around to face him. His heart began to beat wildly in his chest, now merely inches from her, their bodies so close he felt instantly enveloped by her presence. Seconds ticked by until she drew in a sharp breath and looked up to him. His name was a soft whisper from her. Love, desire, and need, all tied together.

He held her to him with a purpose to no end but to be in his arms, locked in his embrace, lost in his passionate gaze.

In a blink of an eye, his lips slowly lowered to her mouth. Not rough. But gently. He wanted to savor their softness. Savor her scent.

She smelled Good. Too good. Like Sweet vanilla and honey. He groaned. She was good enough to damn well eat.

His tongue thrust into her mouth. She tasted even sweeter than she smelled. Her lips were soft and lush, and she was kissing him back. A low moan rose in her throat, and her tongue slid lightly against his. The gesture made every nerve in his body come alive.

A sense of appreciation settled in his loins with her response. It was passionate. Alluring. Had he not known her, he could sware she had the experience of an excellent lover. But that was not the case now, he knew her. This was a kiss of brimming desire and need. The very same one they had when he first made love to her. He was her first. Pride grew in him as the kiss deepened. He'd been the one to teach her how to kiss.

And to f**k.

He deepened the kiss, needing more, so much more from her than he could get right then. He wanted her passion. He wanted her.

She pulled back breaking away from the kiss. She stood on shaky legs grateful to be in his arms. She swallowed the soft whimper that escaped her lips as his hands raised gently to touch her cheek. She was soft and warm despite the slow shiver that escaped her.

Still breathing heavily she peered up at him wishing to see his handsome face, those cerulean blue eyes that no doubt were burning with hunger for her.

"I've missed you," she whispered.

"And I've missed you," he murmured lowering his lips to her cheeks and gently nibbling his way to her ear.

"I needed to see you before I go to Gower," he whispered pulling her close.

She remained silent basking in the warmth of his embrace wrapping her arms tightly around his midsection.

"But before I leave, I want to formalize our betrothal," he said. She pulled away slowly to look up at him. He held her cheeks in his warm hands. "I want to ask for your hand before I leave."

She remained silent.

"Would you like that, Tempest?" he strained his sight seeking hers in the dark. Wanting to see her eyes, her reaction.

"Yes, I want that more than anything in this world," she smiled.

"Yes?" he chuckled pulling her close lowering his forehead to hers.

"Yes," she let out a tearful giggle that was music to his ears as he pulled her to him once more. She leaned forward and placed her lips on his, he responded with a lingering kiss, heightening the passion until she pulled away once more.

"Make love to me, Justin," she whispered breathlessly. He sucked in a sharp breath at such a request. Restraint was his only ally as he leaned into her pressing his forehead to hers again, closing his eyes and clenching his jaw.

"You do not know what you ask, love," he pulled away in time to feel her press into him suggestively.

For a timeless moment, he said nothing as he slightly looked over his shoulders and then around them. He felt his heart beating hard in his chest, knowing that if he tread heavily on such a dangerous path laying bare his desire for her while the threat of discovery loomed over them, they could get caught. And she would be ruined.

"Please Justin," she whispered.

With a shaky exhale of breath, he leaned closer and caressed her. "If we are caught-"

She pressed her fingers to his lips. Slowly she reached for his hand and pulled him along. Blindly he followed behind her. Further and further into the garden until the ballroom stood a distance away. The throng of music, low in the background.

Now cloaked in darkness only aware of the warmth of their bodies, she leaned slowly against a tree and pulled him closer.

"I need you," she breathed.

It took him several long seconds to realize she was giving herself to him without reservation. As if accepting the destiny that brought them together, he gave in to her need and in swift movements between ardent kisses and breathless moans, she eagerly assisted him in removing her undergarments.

Now bare, she gasped lightly feeling the crisp nights air brush along her intimate parts only to be replaced by his warm hand when he started caressing her. His fingers tingled lightly over her soft thighs slowly traveling all the way up beneath her skirt.

She inhaled sharp breaths and shivered with the pass of his warm fingers over her intimate part.

"God you're so wet for me, love," the husky timber in his voice brushed her ear and rumbled in appreciation as he glided his fingers through the sodden curls of her sex.

"Oh, Justin!" she whimpered absorbing the sensation he was causing her.

Deeply aroused, he kissed her reveling in the sweetness of her lips as her delicate fingers lowered between them and undid his breeches. He sucked in a sharp breath feeling his erection freed and held softly in her warm hand. Blood rushed through his veins, his pleasure rapidly began to climb until he could wait no longer.

He grabbed the back of her knee, lifted it, placing it gently around his waist, and pulled her close; cradling his hips between her thighs. He clenched his jaw and groaned low in his chest as he gently pressed his erection into the heart of her sex. She whimpered and tensed with the exquisite sensation, slowly tilting her head back and letting her body adjust to him, and feeling him slowly begin to move.

He captured her mouth once more. He caressed, tasted, and devoured the sweetness of her lips as he glided into her wet heat with soft thrusts. Their passion grew more and more with each of his thrusts, each of her soft moans in his ear until they both reached the edge.

They clung to each other, both climbing the brink towards their release. Suddenly his mouth was over hers quieting the moans of her growing climax. He felt each pulse of her orgasm gripping and pulling his along with hers until he exploded inside of her spilling his seed. Gritting his teeth and clamping down on the urge to shout, he plunged deep into her, pinning her tight to him, thrusting more; groaning through the waves of heat and ecstasy until their bodies grew still.

Still clinging to each other barely able to stand, he held her there wrapping his arms around her and resting his forehead on hers. Their breaths mingled slowly until their heartbeats slowed. Gently, he lowered her to stand on her own wobbly legs.

There was no desire to leave after such a passionate encounter. But they must.

He tightened his jaw and shut his eyes, indulging in her softness, her scent... for just a little while longer before reluctantly pulling away to help her fix herself.

Silently they made their way back. Relieved that no one went in search of her, he walked her towards the balcony. In the low light of the ballroom, he was finally able to see her and she could see him. He listened to the throng of cords from a Waltz begin as he stepped close to look down at her. The swirl of pleasure and longing in her gaze mirrored his own.

The slow curve of a heart-stopping grin formed on his lips as he stepped closer.

"I don't suppose it is too late to ask for a dance?"

She giggled sweetly as he leaned in quickly and kissed her nose and pulled back discreetly. "I'm an excellent dancer."

"You're also a sinful rogue," she smiled looking up at him.

His devilish grin told her he agreed. "Aye, but I'm your sinful rogue," he whispered for her ears only.

Her beaming gorgeous smile was enough of an answer for him as he placed her hand gently on his forearm and entered the ballroom.

Grateful for the very few glances his way, as the ballroom was filled to capacity. He made his way towards the dance floor where he enveloped her in his arms and led the first steps.

They danced in each other's arms vaguely aware of those around them. Nothing mattered to him more at this moment but to have her. Seeing her and being with her just proved that she is his addiction. The one that he'd never be able to let go of.

No matter how much money he had, no matter his social status, he was the one she wanted. The proof of it was vibrant in her eyes and it left him breathless. She was content in his arms as she threw herself into the dance and allowed him, a notorious pirate, to sweep her away.

*****

Hello, lovelies here we go...

So sorry for the late post.

Its been a sad month for me two deaths in the family. Took a toll on my emotions but I'm back...

Hope you liked this chapter...